The Power of Mushrooms: It's Not What You Think

Mushrooms really are magic! While some just see them as a fungus, they’re actually a versatile vegetable packed with nutrients. Throw them into a pasta dish, enjoy them in your morning omelette, roast them for an earthy, flavoursome side dish, the opportunities are endless. But did you know a number of mushrooms also have medicinal properties? We are getting more and more evidence that some sorts of mushrooms could be bonafide superfoods. Read on to learn more!

Vitamin D Deficiency: The Silent Killer

In the UK, the risk of vitamin D deficiency is very high. We obviously don’t get that much sunlight, especially during the autumn and winter period and health chiefs are now advising to take a vitamin D supplement.

Sadly, the problem with synthetic vitamins is that we can’t know if they are identical to the biological molecule. That being said, vitamin D deficiency is still a real issue and the benefits of supplementing could outweigh the risks. If you don’t get enough vitamin D you risk poor bone health, low immunity, cardiovascular issues, even cancer.

But food can be medicine. Try including more vitamin D rich foods in your diet, especially during the colder, gloomier months. Mushrooms are a great place to start!

Magic mushrooms, and why the title of this article sounded bad in my head

When I first came up with the idea for this article, I struggled a lot with the title. No matter how you look at it, “the power of mushrooms” definitely sounds like I’m referring to psychedelic mushrooms.

There are over 200 mushroom species that contain psychoactive compounds like psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin. Their mind-altering properties have been known for a long time. Many cultures around the globe used them in religious ceremonies and other spiritual practices.

Other than hallucinations (which can be auditory, visual, and even tactile), “shrooms” also give a feeling of euphoria and well-being.

In most countries psychedelic mushrooms are considered drugs with high abuse potential. As such, they are illegal to grow, sell and consume. That being said, there is an increasing number of people who claim the ban is unnecessary. There is no evidence that people become dependent on magic mushrooms and some say the psychedelic properties can help with kicking addiction and even some mental issues.

As of right now, though, you’d do best to stay away from shrooms if you enjoy the benefits of being a law-abiding citizen! 😉

The Healing Power of Mushrooms

On the other hand, medicinal mushrooms are fantastic for you, they can improve your immunity, make your heart and blood vessels stronger, reduce inflammation, and even prevent certain types of cancer. There are over 38,000 species with medicinal properties. To experience the health benefits, though, you’d have to take them for at least a month. Alternatively, you could look into powders, capsules, and tinctures, which contain more bio-available molecules.

Immunity Boosting Mushrooms

We can all benefit from improved immunity. Even outside of flu season, there are hundreds, if not thousands of threats that your body fights every day. Did you know that you get mutagenic cells (potential tumours) every day and your immune system is constantly fighting them?

Better immunity = better health

Most of the popular medicinal mushrooms have immune system enhancing effects. Shiitake and Reishi mushrooms, two of the most well-known mushrooms in the west, are both potent immunomodulators. Research on their benefit to overall immune health has been piling up in recent years. We now have every reason to believe that their longevity-enhancing properties are due to the boost of immunity they provide.

Reishi Mushrooms for Your Morning

The reason for this article is because I have recently incorporated reishi mushrooms in my day-to-day. A friend of mine told me about this a while ago and so I did a bit of my own research. Their healing power have been documented over and over again. They have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. In China, Reishi mushrooms are known as “the great protector” for their:

Anti-inflammatory,

immune boosting,

cancer-preventing,

helps you sleep

improves gut health

Reishi mushrooms can balance out hormones, lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular function, even fight autoimmune issues like allergies and asthma. Like anything, Reishi mushrooms are not a magic wand. As a superfood, they are a wonderful addition to an already healthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition, sleep, hydration, and an appropriate exercise regimen are the simple pillars of health. If you’re interested in reading more about that, check out my recent article on the hierarchy of fitness.

My typical morning juice

Reishi mushrooms are easy to add to your routine. I, personally, am a fan of this reishi mushroom powder. Its’ subtle, slightly bitter taste was a struggle at first but now, if anything, it’s a bit of a kick to wake up in the morning.

I haven’t braved it on it’s own, love to add reishi mushroom powder to my morning smoothie. For an anti-oxidant boost, I focus on including lots of green vegetables, as well as berries, either fresh or frozen. As for the liquid, I use almond milk or coconut water with a bit of ice.

The Power of Mushrooms: What Is Your Take?

Mushrooms are tasty, nutrient-dense, and they can heal, too. What surprised you the most about the power of mushrooms? Have you tried Reishi mushroom powder?

I’m exploring all sorts of weird and wonderful supplements and training hacks at the moment while I continue my theme of all things performance enhancing. I hope you’re enjoying the content, I’d love to hear from you…